Microsoft Dynamics AX (Archived)

What exactly are extensions?

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Posted on by Khan

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Hi,

What exactly are extensions? I see that when I extend an object lets say : SalesTable.

A new object gets created in my current model called SalesTable.Extension.

Now- how is an extension different from a duplicate object? Let's say on SalesTable, I do right click and duplicate and rename that object. Is the extension still connected to the original object?

Using SalesTable.Extension

How do I add the extended version in my form datasource? The table SalesTable.Extension does not show up in the list of tables when I add datasource.

Also, if I have multiple extensions of SalesTable, how do I ensure which version is being used?

Thanks in advance,

Khan

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Martin Dráb 237,795 Most Valuable Professional on at

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If you copy an object, you get - well - a copy. In case of SalesTable table, you get a new table with all fields, methods etc. identical to what's on SalesTable. But it's a new table and no changes you do there have any impact on SalesTable table.

An extension is something completely different. You use it when you want to modify the existing table, such as to add some fields there. Modifying a copy wouldn't be useful; you want to change the table used for sales orders.

Therefore you'll create an extension and add some fields there. What's stored in the extension are just your changes, not the whole SalesTable table. Your changes will then apply to the standard form, e.g. you'll see your extra fields. Obviously you still refer to the table you extended (SalesTable). The extension isn't a table and can't be used separately from the object it extends.

You could also modify the table by creating a so-called customization, which is more powerful, but you could get into troubles when Microsoft makes some changes to the table - you would have to perform code upgrade then.

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Martin Dráb 237,795 Most Valuable Professional on at

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If you have multiple extensions, all of them will be used. That allows several companies to extend the same object without getting any code conflicts.

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Khan 1,055 on at

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Thank you so much for the explanation. It helped me a lot.

So, if I extend the SalesTable and add a new field in the extension- that field would be available everywhere where the Standard SalesTable has been used like the SalesTable form?

Also, if I create two extensions of SalesTable : SalesTable.ExtensionA , SalesTable.ExtensionB

I add the following fields:

SalesTable.ExtensionA ------ I add a field called 'AName'

SalesTable.ExtensionB ------ I add a field called 'BName'

Now, in standard SalesTable which fields would be available? Both of them?

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Mea_ 60,284 on at

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Hi Khan,

You can do ExtensionA in model "A" and ExtensionB in model "B". In this case you will be able to use "AName" only from code that belongs to Model "A" or has a reference to model "A" and use "BName" only from code that belongs to model "B" or has a reference to model "B".

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